Reviews
I really liked the book Dirt Road Home. This was the most realistic book I've ever enjoyed. The characters did what I think what real people would do., The tension, positioning, threats, and shifting alliances among the boys are believable and will hook readers., Key nicely paces his tale, steadily building the tension . . . . There's more than enough action to keep the fidgitiest adolescent boy glued to the page here." –Mobile Press-Register With authentic characters and a candid first-person narrative, Key's story offers a disturbing appraisal of life in a juvenile facility, and a riveting battle for justice." –Publishers Weekly A gripping tale of a 14-year-old caught in a justice system that is not about justice at all." –Kirkus ReviewsHal quickly learns that the boys who want to fight him aren't his real challenge—it's the guards who allow it to happen." –BirminghamMagazine …Hal's efforts to contain his rage and navigate brawls keep the atmosphere tense and pacing fleet… for comeuppance it doesn't get much more satisfying." –Booklist, Key nicely paces his tale, steadily building the tension . . . . There's more than enough action to keep the fidgitiest adolescent boy glued to the page here., "The tension, positioning, threats, and shifting alliances among the boys are believable and will hook readers." -- School Library Journal "Key nicely paces his tale, steadily building the tension . . . . There's more than enough action to keep the fidgitiest adolescent boy glued to the page here." -- Mobile Press-Register "With authentic characters and a candid first-person narrative, Key's story offers a disturbing appraisal of life in a juvenile facility, and a riveting battle for justice." -- Publishers Weekly "The short chapters, quick pacing, and plentiful dialogue make Key's impressive second effort an especially appealing choice for reluctant boy readers." -- Horn Book "A gripping tale of a 14-year-old caught in a justice system that is not about justice at all." -- Kirkus Reviews "Hal quickly learns that the boys who want to fight him aren't his real challenge--it's the guards who allow it to happen." -- Birmingham Magazine "...Hal's efforts to contain his rage and navigate brawls keep the atmosphere tense and pacing fleet... for comeuppance it doesn't get much more satisfying." -- Booklist "I really liked the book Dirt Road Home. This was the most realistic book I've ever enjoyed. The characters did what I think what real people would do." -- Travis, age 11, as part of the Blue Willow readers program, "With authentic characters and a candid first-person narrative, Key's story offers a disturbing appraisal of life in a juvenile facility, and a riveting battle for justice." -Publishers Weekly "A gripping tale of a 14-year-old caught in a justice system that is not about justice at all." -Kirkus Reviews "...Hal's efforts to contain his rage and navigate brawls keep the atmosphere tense and pacing fleet... for comeuppance it doesn't get much more satisfying." -Booklist, Key nicely paces his tale, steadily building the tension . . . . There's more than enough action to keep the fidgitiest adolescent boy glued to the page here." –Mobile Press-Register With authentic characters and a candid first-person narrative, Key's story offers a disturbing appraisal of life in a juvenile facility, and a riveting battle for justice." –Publishers WeeklyThe short chapters, quick pacing, and plentiful dialogue make Key's impressive second effort an especially appealing choice for reluctant boy readers." –Horn Book A gripping tale of a 14-year-old caught in a justice system that is not about justice at all." –Kirkus Reviews Hal quickly learns that the boys who want to fight him aren't his real challenge—it's the guards who allow it to happen." –BirminghamMagazine …Hal's efforts to contain his rage and navigate brawls keep the atmosphere tense and pacing fleet… for comeuppance it doesn't get much more satisfying." –Booklist, "The tension, positioning, threats, and shifting alliances among the boys are believable and will hook readers." - School Library Journal "Key nicely paces his tale, steadily building the tension . . . . There's more than enough action to keep the fidgitiest adolescent boy glued to the page here." - Mobile Press-Register "With authentic characters and a candid first-person narrative, Key's story offers a disturbing appraisal of life in a juvenile facility, and a riveting battle for justice." - Publishers Weekly "The short chapters, quick pacing, and plentiful dialogue make Key's impressive second effort an especially appealing choice for reluctant boy readers." - Horn Book "A gripping tale of a 14-year-old caught in a justice system that is not about justice at all." - Kirkus Reviews "Hal quickly learns that the boys who want to fight him aren't his real challenge--it's the guards who allow it to happen." - Birmingham Magazine "...Hal's efforts to contain his rage and navigate brawls keep the atmosphere tense and pacing fleet... for comeuppance it doesn't get much more satisfying." - Booklist "I really liked the book Dirt Road Home. This was the most realistic book I've ever enjoyed. The characters did what I think what real people would do." --Travis, age 11, as part of the Blue Willow readers program, "The tension, positioning, threats, and shifting alliances among the boys are believable and will hook readers." School Library Journal "Key nicely paces his tale, steadily building the tension . . . . There's more than enough action to keep the fidgitiest adolescent boy glued to the page here." Mobile Press-Register "With authentic characters and a candid first-person narrative, Key's story offers a disturbing appraisal of life in a juvenile facility, and a riveting battle for justice." Publishers Weekly "The short chapters, quick pacing, and plentiful dialogue make Key's impressive second effort an especially appealing choice for reluctant boy readers." Horn Book "A gripping tale of a 14-year-old caught in a justice system that is not about justice at all." Kirkus Reviews "Hal quickly learns that the boys who want to fight him aren't his real challenge-it's the guards who allow it to happen." Birmingham Magazine "…Hal's efforts to contain his rage and navigate brawls keep the atmosphere tense and pacing fleet… for comeuppance it doesn't get much more satisfying." Booklist "I really liked the book Dirt Road Home. This was the most realistic book I've ever enjoyed. The characters did what I think what real people would do." -Travis, age 11, as part of the Blue Willow readers program, ...Hal's efforts to contain his rage and navigate brawls keep the atmosphere tense and pacing fleet... for comeuppance it doesn't get much more satisfying., "A gripping tale of a 14-year-old caught in a justice system that is not about justice at all." -Kirkus Reviews "...Hal's efforts to contain his rage and navigate brawls keep the atmosphere tense and pacing fleet... for comeuppance it doesn't get much more satisfying." -Booklist, With authentic characters and a candid first-person narrative, Key's story offers a disturbing appraisal of life in a juvenile facility, and a riveting battle for justice., Hal quickly learns that the boys who want to fight him aren't his real challenge--it's the guards who allow it to happen., The short chapters, quick pacing, and plentiful dialogue make Key's impressive second effort an especially appealing choice for reluctant boy readers., "With authentic characters and a candid first-person narrative, Key's story offers a disturbing appraisal of life in a juvenile facility, and a riveting battle for justice." -Publishers Weekly "A gripping tale of a 14-year-old caught in a justice system that is not about justice at all." -Kirkus Reviews"Hal quickly learns that the boys who want to fight him aren't his real challenge--it's the guards who allow it to happen." -BirminghamMagazine "...Hal's efforts to contain his rage and navigate brawls keep the atmosphere tense and pacing fleet... for comeuppance it doesn't get much more satisfying." -Booklist, "Key nicely paces his tale, steadily building the tension. . . . There's more than enough action to keep the fidgitiest adolescent boy glued to the page here." --Mobile Press-Register "With authentic characters and a candid first-person narrative, Key's story offers a disturbing appraisal of life in a juvenile facility, and a riveting battle for justice." --Publishers Weekly "The short chapters, quick pacing, and plentiful dialogue make Key's impressive second effort an especially appealing choice for reluctant boy readers." --The Horn Book "A gripping tale of a 14-year-old caught in a justice system that is not about justice at all." --Kirkus Reviews "Hal quickly learns that the boys who want to fight him aren't his real challenge--it's the guards who allow it to happen." --Birmingham Magazine ". . . Hal's efforts to contain his rage and navigate brawls keep the atmosphere tense and pacing fleet. . . . for comeuppance it doesn't get much more satisfying." --Booklist "The tension, positioning, threats, and shifting alliances among the boys are believable and will hook readers." --School Library Journal "I really liked the book Dirt Road Home. This was the most realistic book I've ever enjoyed. The characters did what I think what real people would do." --Travis, age 11, as part of the Blue Willow readers program
